Digital Voice Recorders: Expert and User Reviews

Our AssessmentCNET provides a thorough review of several recorders, examining them for design, features and performance. Senior editor Donald Bell calls the Zoom H4n a "mobile recording dynamo" with features that outperform more expensive competitor models. The Roland Edirol R-09HR rounds out Bell's list of top picks for professional-grade results.

Our AssessmentWhile we don't usually rate reviews written by retailers very highly, Germany's AudioTranskription.de offers a thorough overview and comparison of the most popular digital voice recorders currently available. Testing is limited to sound quality and does not address other features on the devices. Sound samples made using the recorders in a variety of different settings are posted (albeit the voices are in German) so you can hear audio quality for yourself. Overall, winners are the Olympus LS-11 and Tescan DR100, but in the category of Choral Singing Practice the Olympus DM-550, Olympus LS-10 and Olympus LS-11 all rank high by the reviewers.

Our AssessmentThe editors at VoiceRecognition.com rate digital recorders based on compatibility with Dragon NaturallySpeaking voice recognition software. Results are based on in-house testing and the results of tests by the software manufacturer. VoiceRecognition.com rates the recorders based on quality/accuracy, features, ease of use and durability. The Philips 9360 Digital Pocket Memo and the Sony ICD-BM1 both get 5 stars in each category. The editors also highly recommend the Olympus DS-2300, Olympus DS2 and Sony ICD-MX20. All of the models listed here test well; recorders that don't make the cut are not named.

Our AssessmentGordon Goble sets a price ceiling of $200 for determining this list of "budget" voice recorders. The list includes devices with and without MP3 players and provides a brief description of each. Testing is not described. For recorders with built-in MP3 players, Goble likes the CC Crane Witness, Cowon D2 and Creative Zen V Plus. Several non-MP3 Olympus models are on the list as well as the Zoom H2.

Our AssessmentIn this single-product review, PC World's James A. Martin examines the Sony ICD-MX20 and says that it's both the best digital voice recorder and the best for speech-to-text recognition. The review is balanced, citing both positives and negatives. His review assumes the reader is mainly interested in a recorder for use with speech-to-text software -- specifically Nuance's Dragon NaturallySpeaking -- but he also says that the Sony ICD-MX20 is suitable for a wide variety of other uses. No comparisons to other recorders are made.

Our AssessmentThis roundup by About.com's guide to Canadian small business Susan Ward focuses on voice recorders that can also transcribe speech to text. She likes Sony's ICD 700D (reviewed as part of a package that includes Dragon NaturallySpeaking Speech Recognition Software) for its built-in stereo microphone and overwrite feature that allows correction of dictation after playback. This recorder has been discontinued, but refurbished units without the Dragon software, are available from Sony. For professional dictation, Ward likes the top-of-the-line Olympus DS2400 for its large LCD screen and file edit feature. This model is both Windows- and Mac-compatible. We would rate this review higher, except that the basis for the recommendations is not explained and many of these models have been discontinued. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

Our AssessmentThis article provides a decent overview of recorders and software that's Mac-compatible. Editors recommend iPod and iPhone add-ons from Belkin for basic recordings, but suggest the Roland Edirol R-09HR for professional-grade recording. Griffin Technology has an application called iTalk that can be downloaded to the iPod touch or iPhone.

Our AssessmentThis article includes a list of 10 things to consider when purchasing a digital voice recorder. The reviewers cite several models from various manufacturers and include one or two key features for each. Picks include the Marantz PMD661, Olympus VN6200 PC and a few Sony models. However, the criteria for choosing the particular models are unclear.

Our AssessmentOne good thing about the customer reviews here is that they state how long the person has been using the product. On the downside, most models get only one or two comments from owners, which is too few to form a clear picture of which digital voice recorder is best.

Our AssessmentOn this Australian review website, Andrew Kliem gives the Philips Pocket Memo 9600 3.5 out of 5 stars, saying it's expensive and not easy to use, though it does offer excellent recording quality and a host of features, including voice activation that is "quite cool." While this site is usually a good source for technology reviews, the 9600 is the only current digital voice recorder covered.